Interactive toy

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention relate to interactive toys. In one embodiment, the interactive toy includes a housing, and a receiving region on the housing. A detection device including a plurality of detectors is in the receiving region. A processor operatively coupled to the detection device. A solid object is received in the receiving region. The toy could be a toy electronic train, or an interactive book.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This non-provisional application claims the benefit of the filing dates of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 346,454, filed Jan. 5, 2002, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 346,326, filed Jan. 5, 2002. Both of these provisional patent applications are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]A number of interactive toys exist. Many of these interactive toys are adapted to teach children skills such as reading, letter recognition, counting and math. Some conventional interactive toys use block-type items to facilitate learning.[0003]One such toy is called Talking Phonics Blocks made by Child Guidance. In the Talking Phonics Blocks toy, a toy block is placed on a talking stage. The toy includes 7 blocks. Each block has six block faces, and a pattern of protrusions throughout one of the block faces. The four block faces that are directly adjacent to the coded face have words and images of ob...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]One embodiment of the invention is directed to an interactive toy comprising: (a) a housing; (b) a receiving region on the housing; (c) a detection device including a plurality of detectors in the receiving region; (d) a processor operatively coupled to the detection device; (e) a solid object that is capable of being received in the receiving region, the solid object including a first face defined by one or more continuous, uninterrupted edges and having a first structural pattern, and a second face defined by one or more continuous, uninterrupted edges and having a second structural pattern, the first structural pattern being different than the second structural pattern, wherein a different number or combination of detectors in the plurality of detectors is activated when the first structural pattern interfaces with the detection device than when the second structural pattern interfaces with the detection device.

[0012]Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a n interactive toy comprising: (a) a housing; (

Problems solved by technology

Small children may put a non-coded side of the block in contact with the talking stage and may consequently get no response from the toy.

The inability of a child to use the block to interact with the talking stage can be frustrating.

Moreover, all faces of the blocks are not effectively utilized in the Talking Phonics Blocks toy so that the educational content provided by the blocks is limited.

While such blocks are useful, the use of metal and electronics such as resistors in the blocks adds to the cost of the blocks and the toy as a whole.

The electronics that are used with the blocks are also complicated.

Second, the Music Blocks toy only produces music and provides no other outputs.

Accordingly, the usefulness of the Music Blocks toy is basically limited to teaching children about music.

Second, complicated molds and tooling are required to make the interrupted and discontinuous edges of the answer blocks.

To the extent that the answer blocks can even be formed, it is difficult to form the answer blocks.

Third, the interrupted and discontinuous edges of the answer block are unprotected and can easily be damaged by physical contact with another object.

If the uninterrupted and discontinuous edges are damaged, the answer blocks will not work properly as the edge structures are what make the answer blocks work.

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